Toolbox

ABSTRACT

A toolbox apparatus includes a toolbox, a cover and a lifting device. The cover is pivotally installed on the toolbox. The lifting device is used to slowly lift the cover from the toolbox. The lifting device includes at least one rotator provided between the toolbox and the cover.

CROSS-REFERENCE

This patent application is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/166,788.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

The present invention relates to a toolbox and, more particularly, to a toolbox with a cover that can automatically be lifted.

2. Related Prioar Art

A conventional toolbox apparatus includes a toolbox, a cover pivotally connected to the toolbox and a buckle installed on the toolbox. The buckle can be switched between a locking position and a releasing position. In the locking position, the buckle locks the cover to the toolbox. In the releasing position, the buckle releases the cover from the toolbox. To take a tool from or put a tool into the toolbox, a user switches the buckle to the releasing position and rotators the cover from the toolbox. The manual pivoting is inconvenient.

The present invention is therefore intended to obviate or at least alleviate the problems encountered in prior art.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

According to the present invention, a toolbox apparatus includes a toolbox, a cover installed on the toolbox and a lifting device for slowly lifting the cover from the toolbox.

The primary advantage of the toolbox apparatus of the present invention is convenience for using the lifting device.

Other advantages and features of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the attached drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The present invention will be described through detailed illustration of two embodiments referring to the attached drawings.

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a toolbox apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a top view of the toolbox apparatus shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along a line B-B in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along a line A-A in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a top view of the toolbox apparatus in another position than shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the toolbox apparatus in another position than shown in FIG. 4.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a toolbox apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is an exploded view of the toolbox apparatus shown in FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the toolbox apparatus of FIG. 7.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the toolbox apparatus in another position than shown in FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the toolbox apparatus in another position than shown in FIG. 10.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIG. 1, according to a first embodiment of the present invention, a toolbox apparatus includes a toolbox 10, a cover 20 and a lifting device for automatically lifting the cover 20 from the toolbox 10.

The toolbox 10 defines cavities 11 for tools. The toolbox 10 is formed with two ears 12 each defining a recess 121.

The cover 20 is formed with two ears 21 each formed with a boss 211. The bosses 211 are inserted in the recesses 121 so that the cover 20 is pivotally installed on the toolbox 10. The cover 20 is formed with a tab 26 opposite to the ears 21.

A buckle 28 is movably installed on the toolbox 10 between a locking position (see FIG. 2) and a releasing position (see FIG. 5). In the locking position, the buckle 28 engages with the tab 26 and hence buckles the cover 20 to the toolbox 10. In the releasing position, the buckle 28 leaves the tab 26 and hence releases the cover 20 from the toolbox 10.

The lifting device includes at least one rotator 30, at least one holder 123 on the toolbox 10 for holding an end of the rotator 30 and at least one holder 233 on the cover 20 for holding another end of the rotator 30. According to the preferred embodiment, the lifting device includes two rotators 30, two holders 123 and two holders 233.

Each rotator 30 includes an internal tube 31, an external tube 32 and a spring 33. The internal tube 31 includes an open end and a closed end. A ridge 311 is formed on an external side of the closed end of the internal tube 31. A clip 312 is formed on an internal side of the closed end of the internal tube 31.

Similarly, the external tube 32 includes an open end, a closed end, a ridge 321 formed on an external side of the closed end and a clip 322 on an internal side of the closed end.

Before the internal tube 31 is positioned in the external tube 32, the spring 33 is located between the internal tube 31 and the external tube 32 so that an end of the spring 33 is clipped by the clip 312 while another end of the spring 33 is clipped by the clip 322. Thus, the rotation of the internal tube 31 relative to the external tube 32 loads the spring 33 with torque that tends to return the internal tube 31 to the original position relative to the external tube 32.

To damp the relative rotation between the internal tube 31 and the external tube 32, damping oil is provided between the internal tube 31 and the external tube 32. Each of the holders 123 defines a slit 122 for receiving the ridge 311 or 321 of one of the rotators 30. Each of the holders 233 defines a slit 232 for receiving the ridge 311 or 321 of one of the rotators 30.

According to the preferred embodiment, the holders 233 are formed on a semi-sleeve 23 formed on the cover 20, and two holders 243 are formed on a semi-sleeve 24 joined to the semi-sleeve 23. Each of the holders 243 defines a slit 241 for receiving the ridge 311 or 321 of one of the rotators 30. By two fasteners 22, the semi-sleeves 23 and 24 are joined so that the holders 233 abut the holders 243. The slit 241 defined in each of the holders 24 matches the slit 232 defined in one of the holders 23 so as to make a slot for receiving the ridge 311 or 321 of one of the rotators 30.

Referring to FIGS. 2 through 4, the buckle 28 has been switched to the locking position. The buckle 28 engages with the tab 26 and buckles the cover 20 to the toolbox 10. The springs 33 are loaded with torque.

Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, the buckle 28 is switched to the releasing position. The buckle 28 leaves the tab 26 and therefore releases the cover 20 from the toolbox 10. Loaded with torque, the springs 33 turn the external tubes 32 on the internal tubes 31 and hence lift the cover 20 from the toolbox 10. The damping oil provided between the internal tubes 31 and the external tubes 32 and the weight of the cover 20 damp the lifting of the cover 20 from the toolbox 10.

Shown in FIGS. 7 through 11 is a toolbox apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The second embodiment is like the first embodiment except a few things. Firstly, the ears 21 are omitted. Secondly, the ears 12 are omitted. Thirdly, the external tubes 32 are formed on the toolbox 10. Accordingly, the ridges 321 and the holders 123 are omitted.

The primary advantage of the toolbox apparatus of the present invention is the convenience in use since the lifting device can lift the cover from the toolbox.

The present invention has been described through the description of the embodiments. Those skilled in the art can derive variations from the embodiments without departing from the scope of the present invention. Hence, the embodiments shall not limit the scope of the present invention. The scope of the present invention can only be defined in the claims. 

1. A toolbox apparatus comprising a toolbox, a cover pivotally installed on the toolbox and a lifting device for slowly lifting the cover from the toolbox.
 2. The toolbox apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the lifting device comprises at least one rotator connected between the toolbox and the cover.
 3. The toolbox apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the rotator includes an internal tube, an external tube enclosing the internal tube and a spring connected between the internal and external tubes so that the relative rotation between the internal and external tubes loads the spring with torque when the cover is pivoted toward the toolbox.
 4. The toolbox apparatus according to claim 3 wherein the internal tube comprises a clip formed on an internal side for clipping an end of the spring.
 5. The toolbox apparatus according to claim 3 wherein the external tube comprises a clip formed on an internal side for clipping an end of the spring.
 6. The toolbox apparatus according to claim 3 wherein the rotator comprises damping oil between the internal and external tubes to damp the relative rotation between the internal and external tubes.
 7. The toolbox apparatus according to claim 3 wherein the toolbox comprises a holder for holding the external tube, wherein the cover comprises a holder for holding the internal tube.
 8. The toolbox apparatus according to claim 7 wherein the external tube comprises a ridge formed at an end, wherein the holder of the toolbox defines a slit for receiving the ridge.
 9. The toolbox apparatus according to claim 7 wherein the internal tube comprises a ridge formed at an end, wherein the holder of the cover defines a slit for receiving the ridge.
 10. The toolbox apparatus according to claim 9 comprising a sleeve formed on the cover for receiving the rotator.
 11. The toolbox apparatus according to claim 10 wherein the sleeve comprises two semi-sleeves joined together.
 12. The toolbox apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the cover comprises two bosses formed thereon, wherein the toolbox defines two recesses for receiving the bosses, thus pivotally installing the cover on the toolbox.
 13. The toolbox apparatus according to claim 3 wherein external tube is formed on the toolbox.
 14. The toolbox apparatus according to claim 1 comprising a buckle that can be switched between a locking position for locking the cover to the toolbox and a releasing position for releasing the cover from the toolbox.
 15. The toolbox apparatus according to claim 14 wherein the cover comprises a tab for engagement with the buckle. 